About this course

Learning Objectives

• List a comprehensive vocabulary of LGBTQ+ terminology, concepts, and identities, fostering greater cultural competence and sensitivity.
• Explain the nuanced impact of personal beliefs and experiences on interactions with LGBTQ+ individuals within the context of play therapy.
• Explain the importance of establishing safe and affirming playrooms conducive to the emotional well-being of LGBTQ+ clients.
• Apply transformative inclusion principles to actively promote equity, diversity, and inclusivity within the practice of play therapy, fostering an environment of acceptance and support for all clients.

Learning Levels

• Beginner-Advanced

Target Audience

Course Instructor(s)

• 

  Kurt W. Oster, LBS, LICSW-S, LCSW-QS, BCD, Registered Play Therapist™

  CEO, VonOstir Innovation Services, PLLC & Chief Clinical Officer, Aspire Integrated Healthcare Solutions, LLC

  Transformative Innovator • Clinical Leader • Educator • Author • Advocate

  Kurt W. Oster is a dynamic and visionary clinician, educator, author, and entrepreneur with over 16 years of dedicated service in the field of mental health. As Owner, President, and CEO of VonOstir Innovation Services, PLLC, and Chief Clinical Officer of Aspire Integrated Healthcare Solutions, LLC, Mr. Oster is committed to advancing inclusive, evidence-based care across clinical, educational, and community systems.

  A multi-state licensed clinical social worker and nationally board-certified expert in trauma and play therapy, Mr. Oster is a Pennsylvania Licensed Behavioral Specialist (LBS), an Alabama and Minnesota Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW-S), and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. He is also a Florida Qualified Supervisor (QS), a Certified School Social Worker (CSSW) in both Florida and New Jersey, a Board-Certified Diplomate (BCD) in Clinical Social Work, a Registered Play Therapist (RPT™), and a Certified Playmaker through the Life is Good Playmaker Project.

  Mr. Oster holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Urban Studies from Rutgers University, a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Science (MS) in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Colorado Technical University. He is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and a FEMA Professional Continuity Practitioner, Level I.

  Specializing in trauma-informed care, LGBTQIA+ mental health, and child and adolescent therapy, Mr. Oster provides direct services to children, youth, young adults, and families navigating complex emotional, developmental, and systemic challenges. His clinical work integrates play therapy, identity-affirming practice, and resilience-building strategies across diverse populations.

  As an internationally recognized presenter and subject matter expert, Mr. Oster regularly provides training on youth civic engagement, SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression) mental health, trauma recovery, disaster preparedness, and crisis response. He is a Member of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and is widely respected for his commitment to culturally responsive, community-embedded care.

  Mr. Oster is currently authoring his first textbook, Transformative Expressions in Play Therapy: Working with LGBTQ+ Clients, set to be published in June 2025. In addition to his clinical and academic work, he is also an internationally acclaimed author of young adult fantasy fiction, known for weaving themes of identity, resilience, and belonging into richly imagined worlds. His forthcoming textbook is poised to become a foundational work in the field of affirmative play therapy, blending theory, practice, and advocacy to support LGBTQ+ youth and families through creative and transformative approaches.

Disclosure

References

• American Psychological Association. (2015). Guidelines for psychological practice with transgender and gender nonconforming people. American psychologist, 70(9), 832-864. DOI: 10.1037/a0039906.
• Ashley, F. (2020). Homophobia, conversion therapy, and care models for trans youth: Defending the gender-affirmative approach. Journal of LGBT Youth, 17(4), 361-383. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2019.1665610.
• Byrd, R., Lorelle, S., & Donald, E. (2021). Transgender and gender-expansive affirming child-centered play therapy. International Journal of Play Therapy, 30(2), 146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000155.
• Clarke, M., Farnan, A., Barba, A., Giovanni, K., Brymer, M., & Julian, J. (2022). Gender-affirming care is trauma-informed care. Los Angeles (CA): National Center for Child Traumatic Stress.
• Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, Siegel, B. S., Perrin, E. C., Pawelski, J. G., Siegel, B. S., Dobbins, M. I., ... & Smith, K. (2013). Promoting the well-being of children whose parents are gay or lesbian. Pediatrics, 131(4), 827-830. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-0376
• Drewes, A.A. (2011). Integrating Play Therapy Theories into Practice. In Drewes, A.A., Bratton, S.C. and Schaefer, C.E. (Editors). Integrative Play Therapy. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
• Gold, M. (2018). The ABCs of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+. The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/style/lgbtq-gender-language.html
• Gray, L.(2018). LGBTQ+ Youth. A Guided Workbook to Support Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Pesi Publishing.
• Johnson, K. (2019). SOGIE Handbook. Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression Affirming Approach and Expansive Practices. Health Research, Inc. Retrieved from https://onecirclefoundation.org/media/pdfs/SOGIE_Handbook.pdf.
• Landreth, G.L. (2024). Play Therapy. The Art of the Relationship. (4th Edition). Routledge.
• Levenson, J. S., Craig, S. L., & Austin, A. (2023). Trauma-informed and affirmative mental health practices with LGBTQ+ clients. Psychological Services, 20(S1), 134. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000540
• Moore, C., & Dukes, C. (2019). The value of identity: Providing culturally-responsive care for LGBTQ+ patients through inclusive language and practices. Delaware Journal of Public Health, 5(3), 6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3281/djph.2019.06.003
• Rossi, A. L., & Lopez, E. J. (2017). Contextualizing competence: language and LGBT-based competency in health care. Journal of Homosexuality, 64(10), 1330-1349. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2017.1321361
• Schaefer, C. E., & Drewes, A. A. (2011). The therapeutic powers of play and play therapy. In C. E. Schaefer (Ed.), Foundations of play therapy (pp. 15–25). John Wiley & Sons Inc.
• Stutey, D. M., Klein, D. E., Henninger, J., Crethar, H. C., & Hammer, T. R. (2020). Examining gender in play therapy. International Journal of Play Therapy, 29(1), 20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000108
• Smelser, Q. K. (2021). Exploring gender and sexuality using play therapy. In E. Gil & A. A. Drewes (Eds.), Cultural issues in play therapy (2nd ed., pp. 90–110). The Guilford Press.